Tooth-brush.



J. J. Wll'MAN.

TOOTH BRUSH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1910.

Patented May 30, 1911.

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I matel plug is adapted to be engaged at ei JOHN J". WITMAN, OF READINQIENNSYLVANIAL TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma so, 1911.

Application filed Septeinber 12, 1810. Serial No. 681,685.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. WITMAN,citizen of the United States, residin at Reading, in the county of Berks an State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tooth-Brushes, of whic'hthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tooth brushes and the object is to rovide a tooth brush with an incasing hand e, so that the brush may be carried in the ocket and still remain free from contact wit the clothing, with the result that the brush portion is always ke t in a sanitary condition.-

The device consists of a brush secured to a plug, and a cap adapted to engageeither end of the plug, so that when in open position the cap forms the handle.

The invention is more fully described in the followin specification and clearly illustrated in. t e accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the brush closed. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section, with the brush in open posltion. Fig. 3 is a side view with the brush in open position and turned in" the lug with the bristles in osition for use. lsig. 4 is a detail view 0 the plugi Fig. 5 is a section through 5-5 of .The numeral 1 desi ates the tubular casing, which is prefera ly made of approxioval cross-section for convemence in carrying in the pocket.

The numeral 2 designates the plu This 5161' end the casing and is formed with a central rmg 7 to limit its movement.

The plug may be made of rubber or like material, and it is formed with an opening 6, which is rectangular and oblong 1n crosssection. a

The numeral 3 designates the brush. This is of the usual construction, with bristles 4 and it is formed with a shank 5 of substantiall the same cross-section as the opening 6 in t e plug, and into which it is inserted. This shank has formed thereon, near its extremity, a locking collar 5 which registers with an enlargement in the plug opening 6 when the shank is placed in position in the plug. This locking collar will prevent the accidental withdrawal of the brush while being used, but still permit its removal when desired.

When the device is'closed, the brush a ears with the bristles ointing toward t e ongitudinal center of t e demos and when the casing is removed andthe plug 2 inserted in reverse position, the brush still remains in this position but, inasmuch as the plug is of rubber or like material, the shank 5 may be turned, and the rectangular sha e of the o ening 6 willcause the brush to e held in t e reverse position see Fig. 3) as securely.

as it will be held int e first named osition. This latter position of the brush wi permit the brush to be used with comfort.

To re lace the device the brush is turned in the p ug, and the plug withdrawn from the handle and inserted therein in reverse position, thus afiordin a convenient and sanitary means of carrymg the brush.

It is evident that the brush may be made integral with the'plug, which plug maybe of elongated form, thus formmg a handle, while the casing covers the brush portion when not in use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is In a device of the character described a casing, elon ated in cross section, a simi ar plug ads. to to be inserted at either of its ends in t e casing, a central stop collar on the plug, the plu being provided with an opening elongate in cross section, a brush havin a shank of. elon ated cross section said s ank being adapte to removably and snugly fit in sald plug opening, and an enlargement, on the end of the shank which is inserted into the plug, said lug being of an elastic nature permittin t e shank to be turned and so held in sai opening and serving together with the enlar ement to prevent.

accidental removal of the s ank therefrom.

In testimon whereof I affix my slgnature, in presence 0 two wltnesses.

JOHN J. WITMAN. 

